Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(171,684 posts)
Thu May 7, 2026, 06:53 AM 9 hrs ago

Chief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court is not political

Source: AP

Updated 10:24 PM EDT, May 6, 2026


HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — Supreme Court justices are not “political actors,” Chief Justice John Roberts said Wednesday, insisting unpopular court decisions are based solely on the law. “I think, at a very basic level, people think we’re making policy decisions, we’re saying we think this is how things should be, as opposed to what the law provides,” he said. “I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don’t think is an accurate understanding of what we do.”

His remarks to a conference of judges and lawyers from the 3rd U.S. Circuit in Pennsylvania came at a time of low public confidence in the court, and about a week after the court handed down a decision that hollowed out the Voting Rights Act.

The high court struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana, finding it was an unconstitutional gerrymander based on race. The decision weakened the Civil Rights era law that has increased minority representation in Congress, and it opened the door for more redistricting across the country that could aid Republican efforts to control the House.

In recent years, the conservative majority court has also handed down landmark rulings overturning the constitutional right to abortion, expanding gun rights and ending affirmative action in higher education.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-chief-justice-8933cfe269c90746e200f2588801dfae



Utter BULLSHIT. YOU 6 are completely and unequivocally a bunch of rabid foaming-at-the-mouth soulless RW lunatics.

“I think, at a very basic level, people think we’re making policy decisions, we’re saying we think this is how things should be


Like this?







60 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Chief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court is not political (Original Post) BumRushDaShow 9 hrs ago OP
White nationalism and christo-fascism rolled into one wolfie001 9 hrs ago #1
Mr. chief Justice, we don't think you're making policy decisions Walleye 9 hrs ago #2
What a fucking liar GCG 9 hrs ago #3
Jesus is so proud that you're harming the least of his brothers, John. Chasstev365 8 hrs ago #4
Truth is dead because money is fucking speech Ponietz 8 hrs ago #5
I will never understand that "money is speech" nonsense. Americanme 6 hrs ago #34
And they perverted the Constitution to wrap corporations in rights intended for human beings to enjoy Ponietz 5 hrs ago #43
All that's good Whip-poor-will 5 hrs ago #44
Gaslighting from a disgustingly corrupt judge. Blues Heron 8 hrs ago #6
;-{} THEATRE OF LAW Goonch 8 hrs ago #7
""I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don't think is an accurate understanding of what we do."" OldBaldy1701E 8 hrs ago #8
yeah, cool story bro. Javaman 8 hrs ago #9
The Roberts Court is owned The Wizard 8 hrs ago #10
"The Court has never stooped this low in all its history." Botany 6 hrs ago #31
"We the Billionaires of the United States, lastlib 6 hrs ago #37
I think the term for this SCOTUS that they are partisan hack activist justices. Dustlawyer 7 hrs ago #11
Tell me you're guilty without saying you're guilty Baitball Blogger 7 hrs ago #12
Lifetime appointments have got to GO. NoMoreRepugs 7 hrs ago #13
Just this: WestMichRad 7 hrs ago #14
SCOTUS is Political, Compromised, AND Corrupt SS32867 7 hrs ago #15
I am not a crook. Lasher 7 hrs ago #16
Nomination. SergeStorms 7 hrs ago #17
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa surfered 7 hrs ago #18
He's ruling "how things should be" instead of "how they really are" ... Oh really? FakeNoose 7 hrs ago #19
Roberts' personal history... GiqueCee 7 hrs ago #20
Suddenly he's trying to put lipstick and perfume on the foulest smelling ugly pig his court has become Attilatheblond 6 hrs ago #32
Has he met Ginni and Clarence Thomas? JohnnyRingo 7 hrs ago #21
Well, as he's dismantled the constitution to install a fascist dictatorship arguably... NNadir 7 hrs ago #22
Wasn't there Just Jerome 7 hrs ago #23
Then republican Merrick Garland would be sitting there now. Blue Full Moon 6 hrs ago #24
He's right. Ol Janx Spirit 6 hrs ago #25
Just Us Roberts Dave Id 6 hrs ago #26
When you have a politically right wing mindset BeneteauBum 6 hrs ago #27
The Supreme Court isn't political. It's just six of them are lying racist corrupt hacks who never belonged on the court Ray Bruns 6 hrs ago #28
The simple fact most recent decisions favor corporate and rightwing ideology is clear proof of the SC's politicization. sop 6 hrs ago #29
Chief Justice John Roberts is a damn liar. Americanme 6 hrs ago #30
My ex never cheated on me. She just had lots of handsome male friends that she socialized with. Midnight Writer 6 hrs ago #33
Worst Chief Justice since Roger Taney. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 6 hrs ago #35
By the evidence it is most certainly for sale to the richest ideologues. Ford_Prefect 6 hrs ago #36
i think its corrupt, evil, and extremely political samsingh 6 hrs ago #38
If the shoe fits. . . cloudbase 6 hrs ago #39
Did a single one of the judges present query that statement? dickthegrouch 6 hrs ago #40
Sorry Chief Justice, but evidence shows otherwise ... aggiesal 6 hrs ago #41
and the color of the sky in Robert's world is....? agingdem 6 hrs ago #42
Old saying Whip-poor-will 5 hrs ago #45
The Federalist Society 2na fisherman 5 hrs ago #46
His denial proves it is political dave99 5 hrs ago #47
Roberts is a tone deaf liar. Martin68 5 hrs ago #48
Roberts is following the Republican playbook 100% RainCaster 5 hrs ago #49
You betcha John. wink wink chuckle chuckle ha ha HA HA republianmushroom 4 hrs ago #50
Yeah, right, John-boy Jilly_in_VA 4 hrs ago #51
Unjust John Roberts is a Alliepoo 4 hrs ago #52
Talk is cheap... dlk 3 hrs ago #53
Actions speak louder than words DemocracyForever 3 hrs ago #54
The public is having fun calling out the fact Roberts and five of the other justices are all racists assholes. LetMyPeopleVote 3 hrs ago #55
Fuck Roberts and the other five A$$HOLES on SCOTUS! red dog 1 2 hrs ago #56
Techdirt's owner's detailed reasons totally prove the American public and everyone here are exactly right. ancianita 1 hr ago #57
The entire federal judiciary has become so political that it is standard journalistic practice now dobleremolque 50 min ago #58
My response: Spontaneous, loud, bitter guffaw pat_k 46 min ago #59
Roger Taney's court is considered the worst because of one decision in Dredd Scott AZLD4Candidate 3 min ago #60

wolfie001

(7,912 posts)
1. White nationalism and christo-fascism rolled into one
Thu May 7, 2026, 06:57 AM
9 hrs ago

That's the true definition of the "Shit 6". Of course, they're also anti-gay and anti-trans and anti-worker and anti-environment too. Quite a long list of items these 6 freaks are working on for the hateful and greedy billionaire fuckers.

Walleye

(45,307 posts)
2. Mr. chief Justice, we don't think you're making policy decisions
Thu May 7, 2026, 06:59 AM
9 hrs ago

We think you are sucking up to maga and doing whatever Trump wants. Don’t give yourself credit for anything.

GCG

(108 posts)
3. What a fucking liar
Thu May 7, 2026, 07:04 AM
9 hrs ago

Granting the president immunity of any kind is a fucking policy decision...because he made it up!!!


Roberts doesn't have a direct connection to a sugar daddy like Clarence does...but he does have a wife who has!!!

Ponietz

(4,391 posts)
5. Truth is dead because money is fucking speech
Thu May 7, 2026, 07:18 AM
8 hrs ago

That’s the same thing as saying the sky is green. He’s just gaslighting us, now.

Americanme

(536 posts)
34. I will never understand that "money is speech" nonsense.
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:49 AM
6 hrs ago

They are saying a rich man's right to free speech is a billion times greater than mine.

Ponietz

(4,391 posts)
43. And they perverted the Constitution to wrap corporations in rights intended for human beings to enjoy
Thu May 7, 2026, 10:17 AM
5 hrs ago

So the DOW roars and human beings are shit out of luck.

Whip-poor-will

(450 posts)
44. All that's good
Thu May 7, 2026, 10:25 AM
5 hrs ago

They don't have to do jury duty or face a draft....nice gig if you can get it

OldBaldy1701E

(11,447 posts)
8. ""I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don't think is an accurate understanding of what we do.""
Thu May 7, 2026, 07:56 AM
8 hrs ago

Well, tough noogies, Johnny-Boy... we don't care what you think. The reality is your actions are most certainly partisan and are not solely 'by the law'.

So, 'can' that shit, okay?

The Wizard

(13,831 posts)
10. The Roberts Court is owned
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:08 AM
8 hrs ago

lock stock and barrel by the bribing class. Time to remove all vestiges masking the radical proclivities of the compromised Mediocre (formerly Supreme) Court. The Court has never stooped this low in all its history. Historically, minority rule ends badly. Ask Saddam Hussein .

Botany

(77,747 posts)
31. "The Court has never stooped this low in all its history."
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:42 AM
6 hrs ago

bush v Gore, Citizens United, and ruling that Trump was allowed to break the law because he was
President were all just as bad.

This is the Court that that Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society wanted.

lastlib

(28,526 posts)
37. "We the Billionaires of the United States,
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:51 AM
6 hrs ago

in order to crush more worker unions, establish injustice, insure domestic serfdom, provide for our common protection, demote general welfare, and secure the blessings of money and power to ourselves and our progeny, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

We might as well make it honest and clear.......

SS32867

(3 posts)
15. SCOTUS is Political, Compromised, AND Corrupt
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:39 AM
7 hrs ago

... and John Roberts (along with Thomas and Alito) need to be impeached.
I remember (many years ago) when I respected the Supreme Court.

SergeStorms

(20,768 posts)
17. Nomination.
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:47 AM
7 hrs ago

I hereby nominate the Roberts statement for................(drum roll please)................"The Complete Bullshit Hall of Fame!"

FakeNoose

(42,184 posts)
19. He's ruling "how things should be" instead of "how they really are" ... Oh really?
Thu May 7, 2026, 08:58 AM
7 hrs ago

That's a policy decision right there.

The SCOTUS justices are political like never before. And NOW Justice Roberts tries to deflect what they're really doing because he thinks we're stupid.

GiqueCee

(4,604 posts)
20. Roberts' personal history...
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:03 AM
7 hrs ago

... is steeped in fermented malice and unrepentant racism. He is not a good person; he is not an honest person. He is a right-wing hate monger who views blatant deceit and corruption as viable tools to institute a new feudalism and total dominion over the lives of others.
His smug smile does not conceal the soulless monster behind it.

Attilatheblond

(9,165 posts)
32. Suddenly he's trying to put lipstick and perfume on the foulest smelling ugly pig his court has become
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:45 AM
6 hrs ago

Did he get a bad report on some medical tests? Is he running out of time to put paint over the rot destroying the court under his 'leadership'? Did the fat cats stop lavishing him & his wife with presents?

He's a wanker.

JohnnyRingo

(20,972 posts)
21. Has he met Ginni and Clarence Thomas?
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:03 AM
7 hrs ago

He's pretty partisan himself, but no one wears a political party on his sleeve like Thomas and they're very open about it.
During his confirmation hearings Brett Kavanaugh expressed sneering disdain for Democrats.

By his standards DU is kind of on the political fence.

NNadir

(38,429 posts)
22. Well, as he's dismantled the constitution to install a fascist dictatorship arguably...
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:06 AM
7 hrs ago

...politics doesn't exist, at least openly.

Just Jerome

(537 posts)
23. Wasn't there
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:07 AM
7 hrs ago

some racist pos that wrote a book, “The Way Things Ought To Be?”

Johnny reminds me of that fat(not so much anymore) dead guy.

Ol Janx Spirit

(1,067 posts)
25. He's right.
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:25 AM
6 hrs ago

They aren't "purely political" actors.

In fact, they aren't actors at all. They are marionettes dangling at the end of the strings of their Christo-fascist billionaire owners.

And each "performance" gets worse for the audience.

BeneteauBum

(711 posts)
27. When you have a politically right wing mindset
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:33 AM
6 hrs ago

You interpret the law using that bias. That and enough generosity is applied from moneyed constituents.

Peace ☮️

Ray Bruns

(6,642 posts)
28. The Supreme Court isn't political. It's just six of them are lying racist corrupt hacks who never belonged on the court
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:38 AM
6 hrs ago

in the first place.

sop

(19,154 posts)
29. The simple fact most recent decisions favor corporate and rightwing ideology is clear proof of the SC's politicization.
Thu May 7, 2026, 09:41 AM
6 hrs ago

aggiesal

(10,892 posts)
41. Sorry Chief Justice, but evidence shows otherwise ...
Thu May 7, 2026, 10:03 AM
6 hrs ago

When siding with one party (i.e. R's) and against the other party (i.e. D's) for the same law, refering to racial bias.
Basically making it illegal to use racial bias for college entry, but perfectly legal for ICE racial profiling is perfectly fine.
Or allowing illegal gerrymandering for Texas to help (R)'s, but against other states that benefit (D)'s.
Not to mention partying with people that have business in front of SCOTUS.

It goes on & on.

The SCOTUS six-pack are extreme activist justices.

agingdem

(8,946 posts)
42. and the color of the sky in Robert's world is....?
Thu May 7, 2026, 10:05 AM
6 hrs ago

He's desperate to rewrite his legacy of bigotry, corruption, misogyny, and Trump bend-over toady(nous)...sorry, John, but pronouncing your court above politics is like Trump declaring himself a stable genius...both big fucking lies!

Whip-poor-will

(450 posts)
45. Old saying
Thu May 7, 2026, 10:28 AM
5 hrs ago

The court's actions speak so loudly I can't hear a word you're saying, johnny smirk face.

2na fisherman

(353 posts)
46. The Federalist Society
Thu May 7, 2026, 10:31 AM
5 hrs ago

And Leonard Leo conspired to stack this court to be political. It must be reformed to be the non-partisan court it was meant to be. There is just too much power to legislate from the bench with this lot.

RainCaster

(13,848 posts)
49. Roberts is following the Republican playbook 100%
Thu May 7, 2026, 11:08 AM
5 hrs ago

He's given us:

Trickle down economics
Jim Crowe policies
Criminal immunity for the wealthiest
No healthcare for the poorest

DemocracyForever

(123 posts)
54. Actions speak louder than words
Thu May 7, 2026, 12:42 PM
3 hrs ago

If the GOP controlled SCOTUS really ruled based on the constitution and the law, all of the uncounted votes in Florida 2000 would've been counted as the constitution and Florida law required. Instead, they acted like the highly partisan GOP hacks that they are, stopped that legal vote count and installed the fewer vote getting Bush who then appointed Roberts to continue shredding the constitution which he continues to do to this day.

LetMyPeopleVote

(181,538 posts)
55. The public is having fun calling out the fact Roberts and five of the other justices are all racists assholes.
Thu May 7, 2026, 12:57 PM
3 hrs ago













red dog 1

(33,386 posts)
56. Fuck Roberts and the other five A$$HOLES on SCOTUS!
Thu May 7, 2026, 02:02 PM
2 hrs ago

(On social media use the hashtag #ExpandTheCourt)

ancianita

(43,322 posts)
57. Techdirt's owner's detailed reasons totally prove the American public and everyone here are exactly right.
Thu May 7, 2026, 02:27 PM
1 hr ago
...The timing here is something else — a week after an obviously partisan ruling in Callais, which stripped away Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Notably, Roberts himself had pointed to Section 2’s existence back in 2013 as the reason that they could kill off Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act (which required a pre-review of voting maps for racial bias). And now he helped kill Section 2.

If it were just about making decisions that are “not popular,” then… why are nearly all of his “unpopular” decisions quite clearly in support of one party’s goals and ideology? Any look at the details shows why people conclude that Roberts has a partisan bent to his rulings:
In the 15 precedent-overturning cases with partisan implications, in other words, Justice Roberts voted for a conservative outcome 14 times (93%).

Chief Justice Roberts is one of only two justices since 1946 to support 100% of decisions overturning precedent that led to conservative outcomes.
Roberts’s record in precedent-overturning cases is the second-most conservative among 37 justices who have ruled in at least 5 precedent-overturning cases since 1946. With 84% conservative votes in precedent-overturning cases, Roberts only trails Justice Alito’s 88%.

Gee. I wonder why people think the Court is partisan, chief?

And, on Monday (as we pointed out) Roberts joined Alito and the conservatives on the bench to break standard practice and precedent, supporting Louisiana ripping up its election maps to favor more Republican seats — even as voting had already started —
even though, just months ago, he and the conservatives had said that Texas’ map (deemed unconstitutionally based on race by a Trump-appointed judge) couldn’t be torn up because it was “too close” to an election and voters needed “certainty.”
There is literally no explanation for December being too close to change the maps while May somehow required rushing a map change… in the same election… other than the partisan leaning of those two decisions...

So, chief, if you want people to stop thinking the Court is partisan, maybe stop making such obviously partisan decisions.
.
Oh, and also maybe talk to your colleagues.
After all, at the very moment you were whining about people thinking the court was partisan,
-- your colleague Justice Neil Gorsuch was appearing on a famously rightwing podcast to talk about why “young conservatives must have courage to stand by their beliefs.” Sounds kinda partisan.
And just a few weeks ago,
-- your colleague Justice Clarence Thomas gave a speech arguing that progressives were an existential threat to America.

Gosh. Why would the public think some of you are partisan. I wonder!


dobleremolque

(1,129 posts)
58. The entire federal judiciary has become so political that it is standard journalistic practice now
Thu May 7, 2026, 03:18 PM
50 min ago

to identify the administration that appointed any particular judge to the bench.

In written press coverage, ...."federal judge So-and-so (Trump appointee), ......" In broadcast coverage, "....federal judge So and so, who was appointed by President Clinton in {date}....."

The whole point this editorial convention now is to give the reader or viewer or listener, a clue as to the judge's presumed political ideology and leanings.

pat_k

(13,821 posts)
59. My response: Spontaneous, loud, bitter guffaw
Thu May 7, 2026, 03:22 PM
46 min ago

Pretty common these days. I was in a coffee shop. It just came out. Got some looks.

AZLD4Candidate

(6,887 posts)
60. Roger Taney's court is considered the worst because of one decision in Dredd Scott
Thu May 7, 2026, 04:06 PM
3 min ago

Your court surpasses that mark by a thousand, Johnny Boy!

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Chief Justice John Robert...